HAMTARO HAM-HAM GAMES

This week we'll be reviewing HAMTARO HAM-HAM GAMES for on the road Olympic desires as well as 989 Sports ATHENS 2004. Today we're starting with simpler version that you can take with you on the road or in a plane on your Game Boy Advance, HAMTARO HAM-HAM GAMES.

What this next title in the HAMTARO series offers is fifteen different mini-games that you can play to your heart's content. First thing first, you know that when you're playing HAMTARO it is going to be very cute and if that sort of thing repulses you from a game, you might not want to pick this game up. But if an all-ages friendly game doesn't phase you, by all means this might be for you.

The games cover a wide range of Olympic sports such as sprint racing and marathons and the gameplay is set up for you to attempt all of the events in hopes of leading an overall medal point race at the end of the games. Many of the mini-games are more timing based, and work pretty well individually without becoming too repetitive.

Some of the other games you will see include stuff like sailing a game that brings joy to my heart as it is one of my favorite sports. There is some real variation in the selection of mini-games in the game, and some of them are downright deep.

Sports like Volleyball and Tennis, both of which are awesome versions of the game and compare favorably to other full-scale sports games. These two can soak up a lot of time and are some of the best additions in the title. I probably spent just about as much time with this as I did any other game.

All in all, this was a game that I really didn't expect to take me anywhere. I got it right before I left on vacation for Hawaii and it served me some good time while flying on the plane and got me in the mood to get into ATHENS 2004 on the PS2 when I got home and thus watch the Olympics on TV this weekend (though I really wish there was more live coverage). From the prospective of an Olympic game to play, this is a great choice for any kid, or even for you if you're on the road a lot and get in plenty of Game Boy time.

The graphics are alright, I wasn't blown away by them and they are very, very cutesy. Just to warn anyone who absolutely can't stand that in your videogames. The sound is also just average, nothing to see or hear here, it's just the typical get it in and let the people play the games.

I won't say you have to buy this, but it's a decent set of mini-games for your GBA and if you are looking for something like this, it's the perfect selection for your portable library.